The ore route in Vibraye

To get to the starting point of the hike, head towards Saint-Calais (D1) in Vibraye, then shortly afterwards, turn right onto Route de Sainte-Anne (C9). Continue to the end of this road. The car park is near the metal gate.

(S/E) Go through the metal gate, turn right and then left, heading south-west. You are now on the rural path known as Seur en Vallon in Vibraye, the main road in the 1700s and 1800s.

(1) Cross the Ligne des Arpents: the site of the^first Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France in 1906, the precursor to the first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923. Continue for 600 m.

(2) Consult the "ore extraction" information panel. At this point, turn left, leaving the Ligne de Seur en Vallon straight ahead.

(3) Cross the Ligne des Huraults and continue to the junction with the^GR®®235towards Saint-Calais.

(4) Consult the "Bouverie-Gué aux mulets" information panel. At this point, you will cross the old Vibratiles bois clips de Berfay road. Continue opposite the left bank of the Fresnay. Leave the Étang de la Fenderie pond below on your right and continue to a crossroads.

(5) Consult the information board for La Fenderie and Place à Feu. For La Fenderie and La Bouverie, the 1829 land registry archives give a good idea of the buildings that no longer exist. Continue to the D1.

(6) Caution: dangerous crossing. Continue straight ahead. Pass the localities of La Borde des Bois and then Le Petit Beaulieu and arrive at a road-track junction.

(7) Turn left onto the Vibraye à Saint-Calais path via La Girafe. In the past, this was the route used by stagecoaches.

(8) Consult the information panel "La fontaine de Guetteloup" (The Guetteloup fountain). After 100 m, don't miss the viewpoint over the Braye Valley. Join another road. Without following it, turn left onto a path and arrive at a crossroads on the D136 at elevation 143. Follow the road, turning left, and continue for about 350 m.

(9) At the fork, turn right onto the access road to La Boulardière. Leave it at the bend and continue straight ahead to reach La Cardinière.

(10) Consult the "La Braye" information board. Continue along the path and join the D1 at a roundabout.

(11) Turn right, then take the first pedestrian crossing on the left to reach the D1 (Avenue Michel Verdier). Turn right and follow this street to the top, at the next four-way junction.

(12) Turn left onto Route de Sainte-Anne, which follows the^GR®®235. At the fork at the edge of the forest, turn right towards Chapelle Sainte-Anne.

(13) Read the information panel about La Chapelle Sainte-Anne and visit the chapel. Continue uphill, then bear slightly left to reach the car park (S/E).

This marked trail is public, but the forest is private.
Therefore, while walking in the forest, do not leave the marked trail and close the gates behind you.

(13) Sainte-Anne Chapel.

Vibraye